CHAPTER 39
Virginia paused at the foot of Fairlawn’s iron gates. Had it only been a few weeks since she’d left her home, sneaking out in the predawn hours to marry Collin? It felt far longer.
A hundred emotions coursed through her, making her head spin. She still couldn’t believe Drew hadn’t gone through with the wedding. This morning, determined to see her brother get married, Virginia had waited across the street from the cathedral, planning to slip in the back of the church once the ceremony began. Instead, she’d been privy to Drew’s odd comings and goings. Once he left the church for good—without his bride—she’d sent Collin over to casually ask some of the guests what had happened. They’d explained the necessity to postpone the wedding due to a possible kidnapping by the nanny. Virginia had been shocked by the news, and knowing her family would be devastated, she came to support them, whether she was welcome or not.
A tiny sliver of guilt surfaced that she might have an ulterior motive, hoping that in the midst of their distress, her parents might be more willing to forgive her.
She was desperate enough to try.
A familiar hand touched her shoulder. “Are you sure you want to do this, sweetheart?”
“I’m sure.” She brought her husband’s hand to her cheek. “No matter what happens, at least we’ll know where we stand.”
Collin entwined his fingers with hers. “Let’s go then. But know that I’m going in with you. I’ll not let you face them alone.”
Collin’s fierce frown dragged a smile from her. She adored his protectiveness. It was one of the many facets of his love she’d come to cherish. “Very well. I only hope there’s been news of Christian. I still can’t believe Grace took him. I never thought her capable of such a thing.” Virginia knew Grace’s connection to the baby, and that she had feelings for Andrew. Even so, kidnapping Christian seemed a bit extreme.
“I can’t pretend to understand it,” Collin said. “One thing I’m sure of, however, is that she loves that child.”
At the front door, Virginia hesitated for a second, then turned the handle and went inside. She would not knock on her own door. Not until she’d been formally banned from her home. Her stomach swooped with a case of wild nerves. What would Daddy say when he saw them?
The familiar smell of her father’s pipe tobacco mingled with Mother’s perfume, and a pang of homesickness knotted her chest. She prayed Daddy would be open to accepting her marriage. But no matter what, she would never regret following her heart.
The sound of soft voices drifted into the hall.
With Collin on her heels, she crossed to the parlor, took a deep breath, and entered.
She had a vague impression of her father standing by the window, her mother in her usual chair by the hearth, and Andrew holding—
“He’s back!” Virginia flew over and enveloped her brother and nephew in a hug. Then she rained kisses on Christian’s cheeks. “What happened? Where did you find him?”
Andrew gave a tight smile, though his eyes remained haunted. “Grace brought him back about an hour ago.”
“Thank the Lord.” She blinked hard to keep the tears from forming. “But why did she take him in the first place?”
“It’s a long story. All that matters is that he’s back where he belongs.”
Virginia stroked Christian’s back. She couldn’t seem to stop touching him, to ensure he was real. “Where is Grace now?”
Andrew’s features hardened. “Gone.” His tone brooked no argument, but his eyes remained shadowed in pain.
“Drew—”
“If you’ll excuse me, I need to take Christian upstairs.” He gave her a pointed look and a subtle nod toward their father. “I’ll talk to you later if you’re still here.” He leaned down to kiss her cheek. “It’s good to see you, Gin. Collin.” He glanced at her husband before leaving the room.
Virginia longed to follow him, to pepper him with questions about the status of his relationship with Cecilia. But first she needed to face her parents and try to make amends.
She turned to look at her father. He’d come to stand behind her mother’s chair, his expression serious.
“Daddy, may we speak with you and Mother?”
“I don’t see what there is to say. You humiliated us as well as the Flemings.”
“Sir, if you’d allow me, I’d like to apologize.” Collin, who had been standing quietly beside her, moved forward. “When Virginia came to me that night, I wanted to wait and speak to you, man to man.”
Virginia took his arm. “And I told Collin you’d never listen. That you’d find a way to prevent us from being together.”
“The only reason I finally agreed to the elopement,” Collin continued, “other than the fact that I love Virginia more than life itself, is that she was going to leave, with or without me. I couldn’t bear the thought of her out there alone. So, faced with an impossible choice, I took the path that would ensure her safety and her happiness.” Collin stood tall and strong, but not imposing.
Her father’s eyes narrowed. “Perhaps we should have that man-to-man talk. Let’s adjourn to the library.”
Virginia grabbed her father’s arm. “Daddy, please don’t—”
He gave her a sharp look. “Don’t what?”
“Just . . . be nice.”
“There’s always a first time.”
The slight twitch to his lips gave Virginia hope that he might be in a more receptive mood.
“I suspect you ladies have a lot to catch up on,” Daddy said. “We’ll be back shortly.”
Collin gave her a quick kiss, then followed her father out the door.
“Oh, Mama.” Virginia went to her mother, who stood up to envelop her in a tight hug. Virginia inhaled her familiar scent and melted into her embrace. “I hope you can forgive me for eloping. At the time, I couldn’t see any other way.”
“Of course I forgive you.” Her mother pulled back to lay a hand on her cheek. “I’m only sorry you couldn’t tell us how you really felt.”
“I thought I could marry Basil, I really did. But the longer our courtship went on, the more I realized he wasn’t the man for me. And when Collin said he was going back to Scotland, I couldn’t let him go.”
Her mother looked her in the eye. “Does he make you happy, Virginia?”
“Oh yes.” She couldn’t stop the smile that spread over her face. “He’s thoughtful and kind and very protective. He does whatever he can to please me.”
“Then that’s what’s important.” Her mother’s brow creased. “But how is he supporting you? I’ve been so worried about where you’re living.”
“Right now we’ve rented a room in town, but as soon as Collin finds work, we’ll get a better place.”
“I’ll speak to your father. Have him give Collin his job back.” From the determined set to her mother’s chin, Virginia knew she’d do it.
She shook her head. “Thank you, Mama, but I don’t know if Collin’s pride would allow him to accept, even if Daddy did change his mind.”
Her mother led her to the sofa, and they both sat down. She took Virginia’s hand in hers. “Listen to me. Losing Christian even for such a short time has had a profound effect on your father. It was almost like losing Frank all over again, and reliving that pain has made him realize what’s truly important—though he might never admit it to anyone but me.” She smiled. “Now that Christian is back, it wouldn’t surprise me if he views things in a much different light.”
“Oh, Mama. I hope you’re right.” Virginia lifted a silent prayer that the Lord might soften her father’s heart and allow him to finally accept his children as they were—the good with the bad—and value them still.
If so, then maybe they could truly be a family again.